BridgeUSA

Step 1 – Apply with a vetted UWT Agent. Culturally minded prospective Exchange Visitors who meet the minimum requirements of the BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel program sign up with a UWT vetted and approved overseas agent.

Step 2 – Placement. UWT works in tandem with our overseas agents to screen and place prospective Exchange Visitors with fully vetted seasonal and temporary host company opportunities. Every placement we secure comes with vetted and approved program housing. We will not issue DS 2019 Forms to Exchange Visitors without pre-determined housing.

Step 3 – Confirmation, Fees, Documentation. Exchange Visitor accepts the terms of the host company placement, position, and housing. EV produces the required fees and documentation to verify eligibility, and confirm their understanding of and intention to follow all UWT and DOS regulatory compliance.

Step 4 – Arrival Preparation. UWT will provide you with orientation, guidelines, check lists, arrival instructions, and dedicated support from screening through successful program completion.

DS-2019 Form

The DS-2019 Form is a controlled document used to administer the Exchange Visitor Program. Exchange visitors must present this form at the U.S Embassy in order to apply for their nonimmigrant J1 Visa.

The DS-2019 Form Start Date and End Date dictate the period of legal employment during the Exchange visitor’s stay in the United States. The maximum period of approval is 4 months. After which, each Exchange Visitor is granted a 30 day travel period within the United States. This travel period may not delay an Exchange Visitor’s return home for their university obligations.

Program Dates by country are identified annually by the Department of State as windows of opportunity for program participation. Within this timeframe, Exchange Visitors are subject to their university’s official academic calendar.

I-94

The I-94 is an electronic record of arrival/departure created by Customs and Border Protection at air and sea ports of entry. To obtain a copy of your most recent I-94, visit https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/

If you are unable to locate your I-94 electronic copy, you can wait 1-2 days and try again. If you still cannot locate your I-94 or you notice an error on your most recent I-94, you must contact the Deferred Inspection office closest to your location. A list of Deferred Inspection Sites can be found by visiting https://www.cbp.gov/about/contact/ports. As your sponsor, we are unable to make any corrections on your behalf.

Program Check-In and 30 Day Monitoring

As a program participant you are are required to complete an initial program check in within 24 hours of arrival to your vetted program housing. You are then required to complete a 30 day – 60 day – 90 day program check in up until your DS 2019 Form End Date.

Your program check in is completed by clicking HERE or by calling our office at 410-581-7788, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern.

*Please utilize your existing account and do not create a new account to complete your program check in.

Social Security

Upon arrival you will complete a digital arrival check in with UWT to initiate the validation of your SEVIS. We must verify your check in and then validate your SEVIS manually, you are not able to login to SEVIS independently. SEVIS will send you an email to confirm your status has been moved to “Active” by your Sponsor. Please wait until you have your confirmation email from SEVIS to report to Social Security.

If you are a returning Exchange Visitor who has already applied for and received a Social Security Number, you will not apply again after program check in. Please provide this number to your host company with your on-boarding paperwork.

Requirements for application, location and hours of operation for Social Security offices, and all other Social Security questions can be addressed by visiting, www.ssa.gov

Taxes

As a J1 Visa holder on a BridgeUSA Cultural Exchange Program you are exempt from paying FICA taxes. This includes Social Security and Medicare.

At the end of the calendar year you will be issued a W2 Form for your wages earned during that year. You are obligated by law to file your taxes by the annual deadline, regardless of total wages earned. You will file as a non-resident alien. Failure to file or filing a false tax return can lead to fines, penalties and issues with future status applications.

Looking for more direction with your taxes? We have partnered with Sprintax for your education and filing needs – click HERE

Department of State
The Summer Work Travel Resource Page for BridgeUSA can be found by clicking HERE!

Emergency Contact

If you have a life threatening emergency and are in need of immediate police, fire, or medical attention, please do not delay – dial 911. Once you have reached safety, please contact United Work and Travel to report your situation and obtain further guidance.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need immediate mental health support, please dial 988. This is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

For non-emergency program support please email [email protected] or call our office, 410-581-7788. Our team is available for assistance Monday – Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern Time.

Examples of program support that are not an emergency: program check in, SEVIS validation, start date queries, end date changes, employment challenges, roommate disagreements, lost documents, insurance claim assistance.

For emergency program support that does not involve a general question please call 410-581-7788 and follow the instructions for our on-call emergency operator. Examples of emergency program support: reporting an incident after 911 attention, threat or fear of violence.

Accident and Injury Insurance

Exchange Visitors are equipped with accident and injury protection insurance for the period of time covering DS 2019 Form Start Date through DS 2019 Form End Date. Supplemental insurance is not provided for the travel period. United Work and Travel is not the insurance company or the claims adjuster.

After reviewing the information in your blue documents folder, please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about insurance.

Can I participate without an overseas agent?

UWT requires all Exchange Visitors to process through a vetted and approved overseas agent.

Can I work a 2nd job?

UWT will review a request for supplemental 2nd employment after an Exchange Visitor has safely arrived and successfully completed a minimum of three (3) weeks with the primary host company listed on their DS-2019 form. All employment must be vetted and approved in writing by UWT. A list of documentation required can be aquired by contacting [email protected].

Supplemental employment may not interfere with your primary placement and is subject to all Sponsor and Program compliance requirements. You may not engage in any training or employment without Sponsor approval. Participation in employment that is not Sponsor vetted will result in program dismissal.

Can I shorten my program end date?

You may elect to end your program entirely at any time to return home. If you wish to shorten your program end date to engage in a travel period, a minimum notice of two weeks must be provided to your host company and Sponsor. This should be documented in writing.

What happens if I am fired from my job?

Please contact your UWT Account Manager to report your loss of employment and request more information. UWT will review your program status on a case by case basis after considering the terms of your employment end. UWT will continue to prioritize your Health, Safety, and Welfare as we work through this process.

When planning for your cultural exchange program in the USA, it is important to compare your wages against your expenses. By using a budget calculator, you can estimate how much money you will have each week or for the entire program. This will be the money that you will have to support your food, recreation, and activities in the United States. This is not a program to save money, send money home, or become rich.

Use the budget calculator below to help plan your program J-1 summer work/travel cultural exchange experience. Simply enter your pay minus your expenses and then send it directly to your email as a point of reference.